Unified Platform Connects Giant Projects, Forges Path for Future of Contracting in Saudi Arabia

Unified Platform Connects Giant Projects, Forges Path for Future of Contracting in Saudi Arabia
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Unified Platform Connects Giant Projects, Forges Path for Future of Contracting in Saudi Arabia

Unified Platform Connects Giant Projects, Forges Path for Future of Contracting in Saudi Arabia

Saudi government agencies are preparing to reveal a unified platform featuring thousands of colossal development projects, collectively worth over one trillion Saudi riyals ($266.6 billion).

These projects are set to be showcased to contractors next week to bolster domestic content and revitalize the contracting sector, which is not only the country’s largest economic sector but also a key driver for numerous activities.

This initiative is expected to offer unparalleled opportunities for uplifting the national economy and diversifying income sources.

The Saudi Contractors Authority held a press conference in Riyadh to provide an overview of the fifth edition of the Future Projects Forum 2023.

The forum is scheduled to take place on May 22-23, 2023, in Riyadh under the patronage of the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail.

During the conference, Eng. Zakaria bin Abdulrahman Al-Abdulqader, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Contractors Authority, highlighted the significance of the forum’s current edition, which aligns with positive economic developments in the Kingdom.

According to Al-Abdulqader, these developments stem from the remarkable progress achieved by the Kingdom Vision 2030, as evidenced by a 7.8% increase in real GDP between 2021 and 2022.

He also emphasized the Saudi leadership’s commitment to involving the private sector in the national development process, in alignment with the objectives of the Kingdom Vision 2030.

Al-Abdulqader underscored the contracting sector’s fundamental role in driving the economy’s growth and prosperity, given its close relationship with the Kingdom’s diverse and comprehensive giant initiatives that support long-term sustainable growth and revenue diversification.

Ensuring financial sustainability is crucial to fostering a robust contracting industry capable of effectively executing major projects, promoting local content, and creating employment opportunities for citizens.

Abdulmajid Al-Rashoudi, the Secretary General of the Saudi Contractors Authority, emphasized that the forum aims to enhance coordination and integration among project owners, contractors, manufacturers, and suppliers.

This collaboration will showcase the extensive range of opportunities and projects that the contracting sector requires as it serves as the executive arm of the ambitious Kingdom Vision 2030 initiatives and is a key driver across various sectors.



Oil Prices Set to End Week over 3% Lower as Supply Risks Ease

FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo
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Oil Prices Set to End Week over 3% Lower as Supply Risks Ease

FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo

Oil prices fell on Friday, heading for a weekly drop of more than 3%, as concerns over supply risks from the Israel-Hezbollah conflict eased, alleviating earlier disruption fears.
Brent crude futures fell 55 cents, or 0.8%, to $72.73 a barrel by 0758 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $69.52, down 20 cents, or 0.3%, compared with Wednesday's closing price.
On a weekly basis, Brent futures were down 3.3% and the U.S. WTI benchmark was trading 3.8% lower.
Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah traded accusations on Thursday over alleged violations of their ceasefire that came into effect the day before. The deal had at first appeared to alleviate the potential for supply disruption from a broader conflict that had led to a risk premium for oil.
Oil supplies from the Middle East, though, have been largely unaffected during Israel's parallel conflicts with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
OPEC+, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, delayed its next policy meeting to Dec. 5 from Dec. 1 to avoid a scheduling conflict. OPEC+ is expected to further extend its production cuts at the meeting.
BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, downgraded its Brent price forecast on Friday to $76/bbl in 2025 from $78/bbl previously, citing a "bearish fundamental outlook, ongoing weakness in oil market sentiment and the downside pressure on prices we expect to accrue under Trump."
"Although we expect the OPEC+ group will opt to roll-over the existing cuts into the new year, this will not be sufficient to fully erase the production glut we forecast for next year," BMI analysts said in a note.
Also on Thursday, Russia struck Ukrainian energy facilities for the second time this month. ANZ analysts said the attack risked retaliation that could affect Russian oil supply.
Iran told a UN nuclear watchdog it would install more than 6,000 additional uranium-enriching centrifuges at its enrichment plants, a confidential report by the watchdog said on Thursday.
Analysts at Goldman Sachs have said Iranian supply could drop by as much as 1 million barrels per day in the first half of next year if Western powers tighten sanctions enforcement on its crude oil output.